Preview: Round 1, Qatar, 24th February
Finally the months of waiting are over and the first round
of this year’s championship is about to begin in Qatar.
The Losail circuit was a happy hunting ground in 2005 for
Alstare when the ‘dream team’ of Troy Corser and
Yukio Kagayama took a win apiece. Last year, Yukio was on
course for a terrific victory in the first race, but was taken
out by his friend Noriyuki Haga when the flag was almost in
sight. Troy salvaged Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra’s pride
in race two with a superb win, so Qatar is regarded very positively
by the team. This year sees Team Alstare’s riders Yukio
Kagayama and Max Biaggi on brand new bikes and it remains
to be seen if all the winter testing has paid off. Yukio knows
Qatar well - in testing and race action - but Max will be
experiencing it for the first time in race mode. The Roman
has been out of race action for over a year, but has steadily
improved with every test so far and his class cannot be denied.
All the eyes of the world will be on him during this first
race and expectations will be high, but whatever happens there
is no doubt that Max is keen and happy to be back.
MAX BIAGGI
I am very happy to be back in racing and want to say thank
you to Francis and the team for all the support they are giving
me. Although Superbike is a new adventure for me, I am looking
forward to it. There are many good riders here (and many have
a lot of Superbike experience) so I know that my job is not
going to be easy. But I’m ready for this new challenge
and will give it everything I’ve got.
YUKIO KAGAYAMA
A new season and a new bike and I am happy to be back on the
racetrack to race, instead of just testing. Of course, testing
is very important (especially with a new bike) and we will
see how we will go in these first races. There are many good
riders in this series and I know I have to be more consistent
this year if I am to have a chance of the title. My plan is
to be fast, win races or take as many podiums as possible
and try not to crash on a raceday!
FRANCIS BATTA (Team Manager)
We have worked hard over the winter months and we hope that
the hard work will pay off. There are always some problems
to be solved with a new bike and that’s normal. We are
very happy to have Max in our team this year and think he
may surprise a few people. Yukio has the ability to do well,
especially if starts the season like he finished it last year.
He and Max are both determined and committed and we are all
looking forward to another exciting year.
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